International Textile Group, Inc. and Safety Components International, Inc., have signed an agreement to combine the two companies through a merger. Both International Textile Group (ITG) and Safety Components International (SCI) are majority owned by affiliates of WL Ross & Co. LLC.

The resulting company will be named International Textile Group, Inc. SCI will form the basis of the combined company's new automotive safety components business unit. Wilbur Ross, Jr. will serve as chairman of the combined company. Joseph. Gorga, current president and CEO of ITG, will serve as president and CEO of the combined company. Stephen Duerk, who currently serves as president of SCI, will serve as president of the new business unit.

ITG is a provider of global textile solutions and distinguished market brands to apparel and interior furnishings customers worldwide. ITG was organised in March 2004 to combine the assets of Burlington Industries and Cone Mills.

It operates four business units: Cone Denim, Burlington WorldWide (apparel fabrics), Burlington House (interior fabrics) and Carlisle Finishing.

SCI is a supplier of automotive airbag fabric and cushions with operations in North America, Europe, China and South Africa. The company also manufactures value-added synthetic fabrics used in a variety of niche applications.

The combined company, to be headquartered in Greensboro, NC, will operate through five primary business units: Automotive Safety Components,

Cone Denim, Burlington WorldWide (apparel fabrics), Burlington House (interior fabrics) and Carlisle Finishing.